Òf course a simple blood test could let you know if the horse is doped up .

No, it can't. The rest of your post is accurate, but this isn't at all true. You would have to know what drug specifically you believe the animal had been given and then you would need to test specifically for that drug. Depending on the time and the chemical, blood may not at all be the right sample either. There are NO tox screens, it doesn't exist. You have to specifically test for chemicals and toxins and these tests are pricey and often inaccurate.

Save your time and money, listen to the rest of the advice given in Afterparty's post, and make sure you do a lengthy, contracted off site trial period following a complete vet check. Good luck!

You know that sounds right on because I did a vet check and asked the vet if there was a test for drugs. I felt really bad asking because the seller was right there listening. The vet said he would have to know what he was testing for and I said I didn't know. It seemed like a dead end. Another clue was that horse loaded right into a small trailer w/o any problems. The next time I tried to load that horse, he gave me no end of problems.
How long is a lengthy trial period?

I'd say ask for a minimum of a week or two, if you can get a 30-60 day trial all the better! Sometimes problems that the seller didn't even know about are picked up by potential buyers. Also, it is important to remember that horses act very different in different situations/ with different handlers. Not every horse that has a major personality change is doped. I got my guy from the vet school and he went through a massive personality change after I had him at my barn but I know for a fact he hadn't had any drugs in months.

The main things you want to watch for would be covering up a lameness or dangerous behavior (like severe aggression). Any drugs covering these would be gone in a day or two so certainly a two week trial would be sufficient. Longer is always better, to make sure you two fit well and that any problems are ones you feel you can work on, either on your own or with a trainer. Best of luck to you!

A trial period will always be a great way to discover anything missed in buying a horse but, truthfully, most sellers will not permit it. I certainly wouldn't. I will allow a buyer to come a few times and try my horse but I have no idea what happens when that horse leaves my possession.

In another post, a member was talking about letting her horse go out on a lease. The lease was ironclad, spelling out all contingencies; the woman was checked out, the facility was good, the BO at the facility was good, yet one week after the horse left, the lessee called to say that she was having money problems and that the owner needed to come pick up the horse even thought the lease said 30 days notice was required and it was the lessee's responsibility to return the horse.

You also need to consider the selling price. If you are spending several thousand dollars, a trial may be in order. With good horses selling for under $1,000, and many in the $500 range, a seller is less apt to allow a trial period. It doesn't hurt to ask but don't expect it to be a welcome alternative.

I'm not arguing with you, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. It's not always what you say but what they hear.

I am with Iride. I wouldn't allow a trial period on any of mine either. There is too much risk that they would take the horse and use some god-awful contraption on it and screw up all the training that it did have and then I would have to spend weeks or months just gettting it back to where it was. Not saying that you would, it is just a general statement cause we all know what kind of crappy people are out there. So even if you ask for one, don't be disappointed if they say no.

Always remember that feeling of looking at a big, open country over the ears of a good horse, seeing a new trail unwind ahead of you, and that ever-spectacular view from the top of the ridge!!! Follow my training blog: http://robertsontraining.blogspot.com/

The vet said he would have to know what he was testing for and I said I didn't know.

Any equine vet worth their price could give you an idea of what you need to test for and discuss that with you. (Obviously with the disclaimer that they do not know exactly what to test for so you are testing for the obvious things.)

No, it can't. The rest of your post is accurate, but this isn't at all true. You would have to know what drug specifically you believe the animal had been given and then you would need to test specifically for that drug. Depending on the time and the chemical, blood may not at all be the right sample either. There are NO tox screens, it doesn't exist. You have to specifically test for chemicals and toxins and these tests are pricey and often inaccurate.

Save your time and money, listen to the rest of the advice given in Afterparty's post, and make sure you do a lengthy, contracted off site trial period following a complete vet check. Good luck!

oh wow , I didnt know that . I guess you learn something new everyday :)

Thanks !

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